What is the end of Fame? 'tis but to fill
A certain portion of uncertain paper:
Some read more

What is the end of Fame? 'tis but to fill
A certain portion of uncertain paper:
Some liken it to climbing up a hill,
Whose summit, like all hills, is lost in vapour:
For this men write, speak, preach, and heroes kill,
And bards burn what they call their "midnight taper,"
To have, when the original is dust,
A name, a wretched picture, and worse bust.

Men the most infamous are fond of fame,
And those who fear not guilt, yet start at shame.

Men the most infamous are fond of fame,
And those who fear not guilt, yet start at shame.

Fame is a bee. / It has a song / It has a sting / Ah, too, it has a read more

Fame is a bee. / It has a song / It has a sting / Ah, too, it has a wing.

Herostratus lives that burnt the temple of Diana; he is almost
lost that built it.

Herostratus lives that burnt the temple of Diana; he is almost
lost that built it.

It's too bad I'm not as wonderful a person as people say I am, because the world could use a read more

It's too bad I'm not as wonderful a person as people say I am, because the world could use a few people like that.

The fame you earn has a different taste from the fame that is forced upon you.

The fame you earn has a different taste from the fame that is forced upon you.

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument
than why I have one.

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument
than why I have one.

Who fears not to do ill fears the name,
And free from conscience, is a slave to fame.

Who fears not to do ill fears the name,
And free from conscience, is a slave to fame.

Fame is like a river, that beareth up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid.

Fame is like a river, that beareth up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid.